Business owners: Safety concerns near Raleigh transit center driving customers away

Raleigh police said they have increased their presence in the last two weeks near the GoRaleigh Station along South Blount Street.

Business owners said it's helping keep crime away, but the safety concerns are also keeping customers away.

Decree Company cofounder Ryan Dart said he’s noticed a slowdown after several reports of violent crimes in the nearby area.

“Normally, it’s very, very good,” Dart said of his business. “You’ve got people walking around, feeling safe.”

Decree Company is located at 135 East Martin St. The company presses and punches designs into custom stationery for clients. The shop is a week away from marking one year at its downtown location.

The recent crime prompted a discussion during Tuesday’s Raleigh City Council meeting.

“We can’t take it anymore and we need more security,” said Raleigh business owner Kim Hammer at the meeting.

The city of Raleigh is considering hiring private security to patrol Wilmington Street, Blount Street, Market Plaza and Exchange Plaza – not far from Fayetteville Street or Moore Square. The city has reached out to three private security companies to get their ideas. City staff had not submitted a bid or proposal to any of them as of Wednesday.

“There’s been some change and change in the right direction, and we want people of all of Raleigh to know downtown Raleigh is great,” Dart said.

Matt Coleman opened The Davie five years ago. He echoed Dart’s sentiments. Coleman said his biggest concern is response times from police.

“I believe a lot of owners have struggled with talking so much about the safety concerns in downtown as it’s a delicate balance for what the perception of downtown is,” Coleman said.

Next month, the Downtown Raleigh Alliance plans to meet with business owners and people who live downtown to hear their concerns and solutions.

WRAL News asked Downtown Raleigh Alliance President Bill King if there is a concern that businesses will leave downtown, specifically near the GoRaleigh Station.

“I think we absolutely have to address this issue because it’s not sustainable for businesses,” King said.

King said downtown Raleigh has added 25 new businesses in the last year.

“There is that momentum still there, but for whatever reason, the issues around the transit center got worse,” King said. “And, I don’t know a good answer for that. I just know it has been different, and it’s different even compared to last year.”